Aging in Place: A care solution that allows seniors, regardless of their health condition, to remain in a single place for the rest of their lives.

Alzheimer’s Care Center: This is a specialized care center for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Home health care providers working in these centers are trained and qualified to provide care and support to seniors living with this condition.

Ambulatory: A person who can walk without assistance.

Americans with Disabilities Act: This federal law prohibits discrimination against disabled people. It also requires public buildings to provide easy access to people with disabilities.

Assessment: This includes evaluating a person’s physical and mental condition, as well as other important factors such as social abilities.

Assisted Living Facilities: These senior facilities allow seniors who require more care and attention than can typically be provided at home to maintain independence. Experienced home health care providers work in these communities, meeting the specific needs of each client round-the-clock.

Caregiver: A caring individual who is trained and qualified to offer assistance and support to both seniors and people who are injured or ill.

Case Management: The assessment of the individual needs of a senior performed in order for healthcare professionals to provide adequate services.

Certified Nursing Assistant: This is a trained caregiver who follows the instructions provided by a registered nurse. Nursing assistants provide assistance with routine, everyday tasks such as bathing or meal preparation.

Charge Nurse: A registered or licensed nurse who supervises other nurses at a nursing facility.

Congregate Housing: This is a care solution that allows seniors to live in rented housing that provides them with meals, housekeeping, and transportation services.

Continuing Care Retirement Community: A community of seniors who are able to maintain their independence with the assistance and supervision of nursing home care.

Dementia: A progressive mental condition that affects all areas of a person’s life, including memory and behavior.

Developmental Disability: A group of disabilities that can interfere with various aspects of a person’s life, including language and mobility.

Director of Nursing: A professional who supervises nurses, making sure that each patient at a nursing homes receives the best possible care.

Health Care Power of Attorney: This is when an individual gives another person legal authority to make decisions regarding care and health on their behalf in case they cannot make those decisions on their own.

HIPAA (The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): This is a federal law that regulated long-term care plans and restricted access to medical records.

HMO: A medical insurance group that offers healthcare services to people for a fixed annual fee.

Home Health Agency: An agency that offers home care services, including nursing and physical therapy.

Home Health Care: A type of care that enables seniors to maintain an active, independent lifestyle. Professional home health care providers can assist older adults with personal care, meal preparation, and other daily activities.

Hospice Care: A type of care provided to terminally ill people near the end of life.

Independent Living: Seniors who can maintain an independent lifestyle and continue their routine with minimal assistance from home health care providers or family caregivers.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living: Activities that are not required for basic functioning but are necessary for maintaining a high quality of life. They include everything from grocery shopping and meal preparation to running errands.

Kitchenette: This is a small kitchen often found in apartments in assisted living facilities.

Licensed Practical Nurse: A nurse who is licensed to provide treatment such as administering medications or changing bandages.

Life Care Community: A community where seniors receive care and assistance in order to lead active, independent lives. Seniors who live in these communities sign a contract when they move in and pay for the services received on a monthly basis.

Living Will: A legal document that states a person’s wishes regarding care and treatment. A legal will is used to convey the wishes of the individual in case they cannot communicate their wishes or make important decisions about their future due to illness or injury.

Long Term Care: A type of care that caters to people who cannot take care of themselves for a long period of time due to illness, injury or old age. Home health care providers offer assistance with various activities of daily living in order to improve the quality of life of the care receiver.

Managed Care: A system of care that includes doctors and other care providers teaming up with insurance provider in order to provide care of the highest quality at an affordable cost.

Medicaid: A state-funded program that aims to financially assist people who cannot pay for the costs of treatment or care.

Medical Director: A healthcare organizer who closely works with medical professionals and family members to ensure that seniors receive the exact type and level of care they need.

Medicare: A government program that provides financial aid to seniors and people with disabilities who need treatment and care.

Medications Management/Medication Administration: Instructions a person should follow when taking medications. Medication management plans include information on medication use and who to notify in case the person doesn’t take or administer the medications properly.

Medigap Insurance: An insurance program that can finance some of the costs not covered by Medicare, including deductible payments and prescription medications.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners: A national board consisting of state officials whose job is to develop policies that regulate the insurance industry.

Non-Ambulatory: A person who cannot walk without some sort of assistance or who is bedridden.

Nurse Assistant: A nurse that can provide basic services such as assistance with bathing. Licensed nurses supervise nurse assistants, who must have a personal care certification prior to offering services.

Nursing Home: This is a residential facility for seniors that provides non-stop nursing care to its residents. Seniors at nursing homes engage in mental and physical activities, socialize with peers, and receive physical therapy or other rehabilitative services. This is one of the most popular long-term care solutions for seniors.

Occupational Therapy: A type of therapy that includes various activities developed by a licensed therapists in accordance with the unique needs of each patient. Occupational therapy aims to help patients increase independence through improving their ability to take part in activities of daily living.

Ombudsman: A program sponsored by the government whose aim is to support the rights of people who live in care facilities such as nursing homes. Members of this program perform detailed assessments of long-term care facilities and closely work with both residents and staff members to improve the quality of services.

Physical Therapy: A form of rehabilitation therapy that improves movement, ability to perform activities, and quality of life through exercise, manual therapy, heat, etc. It is provided after an illness or injury.

Pre-Admission Screening: An evaluation of health condition, personality, and other care needs. It is performed prior to moving to a nursing home, allowing seniors to receive appropriate, high-quality care.

Quality Care: Highly personalized care provided by home care providers in order to increase physical, mental, and social activity in seniors. It enables older adults to live independently and age with dignity and grace.

Registered Nurse: A nurse who is certified by state agencies. Registered nurses closely work with doctors to make sure patients receive quality care based on their unique needs.

Rehabilitation: A form of therapy designed to help patients recover or improve a basic ability such as the ability to walk, perform daily tasks or speak.

Resident Care Plan: A unique care plan developed for each resident of a nursing home. Each care plan is based on the specific needs of each resident.

Respite Services: A type of temporary or short-term care designed to provide relief to the family caregiver. Respite caregivers look after seniors in the absence of their primary caregivers.

Retirement Living: A community where seniors can continue their routine, remain socially active, and receive all the care and assistance they need.

Senior Apartment: An apartment within a housing complex where seniors can live independently. Typically, these communities do not offer services such meal preparation.

Senior Citizen Policies: Insurance policies for people older than 65. They can cover some of the costs of therapy and care.

Golden Heart Senior Care of Dallas, TX provides in home care services to the following areas in Texas: